Liverpool: Why everybody needs to take note of Cody Gakpo
Liverpool had a very quiet January transfer window, with the lone addition being Dutch sensation Cody Gakpo, who may be a game changer for the rest of the season and help Liverpool improve and finish the season in a better place.
The youngster had long been pursued by the leading European teams, and it was after an excellent performance at the World Cup 2022 that he drew big notice, and Liverpool eventually signed him, beating out Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs among others.
Gakpo is a young guy with a lot to give, and the skills he brings to the table are many and impressive enough to alter Liverpool’s direction. If used correctly, he has the potential to significantly assist Klopp and his team in reaching their goals.
With a Champions League berth on the line, here’s a look at what sort of player Gakpo is, what his strengths are, and how he can make a difference in helping his teammates achieve the best possible results at Anfield.
Cody Gakpo is a dynamic attacker who can make an impact at Liverpool
The former PSV star is a completely unique and intriguing talent to watch. He is only 23 years old, yet he has already captained his former squad and demonstrated the ability to mold into numerous positions as the occasion requires. His primary emphasis has always been on assisting the team, which might help him progress under Klopp.
Gakpo is mostly a left winger who can also play as a number 9 and even a number 10 when the situation calls for it. He covers the majority of the attacking half of the field and contributes effectively in the back.
After Sadio Mane’s departure, there has been a glaring lack of a versatile finishing power in the last third, and if used correctly, Gakpo might be the brick to replace that need. His statistics bear witness to this. According to FBref, he has 9 goals and 12 assists in only 14 Eredivisie games and 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 Europa League appearances.
What distinguishes Gakpo is his towering size of 189 cm, which offers him a significant advantage in tackling away from duels and earning an advantage in aerial one on ones. That, along with his ferocious ability to shoot and cut deep into the flank, makes him an absolutely unpredictable runner capable of breaking ankles with his quick maneuvers.
These qualities not only distinguish him as a brilliant winger, but he also ensures that what he provides complements the games of his teammates and the team as a whole. When combined with a savvy and fast pivot in the midfield, Gakpo may be explosive in exploiting spaces and creating forward passes for the forwards to execute in front of the goal.
He has played as a number 9 and number 10 for the Netherlands and has excelled in both situations because he knows the game and what his job requires of him. He has the ability to sprint forward and overcome lines of defense in the blink of an eye, making him a dangerous attacker who is tough to track and mark.
Gakpo might become an unstoppable force at Liverpool with the midfield additions they’ve been planning for with Jude Bellingham if given the perfect pair of players to complement his game.
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Of course, he is still young and has plenty of potential for development, and in a tough competition like the Premier League, he will definitely feel a lot of pressure, but with the appropriate supervision and nurturing under Klopp, he may really help Liverpool gaining benefit in the future.